Disclaimer: The transcription of this hearing is provided by the Office of MP Rasol Y. Mitmug, Jr. for educational purposes ONLY. For official purposes please refer to the Journal or official records from the Senate of the Philippines. Members of the public may listen to the audio of the actual livestream of the hearing through this link for verification purposes. If there are any errors in this transcription, you may inform us via mail@rasmitmug.com to facilitate the correction.
In the face of new normal brought about by the pandemic, the youth have shown resiliency, courage and unity in the midst of a global threat.
Youth involvement and engagement in today’s campaigns is a sigh of relief, eliminating apprehensions of a passive and oblivious generation, and showing signs of a promising future. As technology becomes more available and accessible, the youth have been given a wider platform, various options, and more importantly A VOICE – a voice that is full of fire and passion that will fuel their aspirations.
Their contributions to the society are crucial. Hence, giving them opportunities and more space would empower them and maximize their participation in nation-building. These are young minds facing an unexpected reality.
We all have to partake and invest in each other’s potentials to overcome these challenges. Global Action means engagement of the youth and all sectors aiming to make a huge and beneficial difference in today’s society.
This year’s theme for International Youth Day is “Youth Engagement for Global Action” which “seeks to highlight the ways in which the engagement of young people at the local, national and global levels is enriching national and multilateral institutions and processes, as well as draw lessons on how their representation and engagement in formal institutional politics can be significantly enhanced.” (United Nations)
For reference, Youth Commission of the BARMM 2020 link file: https://parliament.bangsamoro.gov.ph/wp-content/uploads/2020/05/BA-Act-No.-10-BYC-compressed.pdf
The Bangsamoro Transition Authority has constituted a new Parliament Committee chaired by lawyer MP Anna Tarhata Basman and MP Amilbahar Mawallil as co-chair.
The Committee on Accounts and Audit shall have seventeen (17) Members. It shall have jurisdiction over all matters relating to the income, revenues and internal auditing of the funds for all the expenditures and activities of the BTA, and the other ministries, agencies and offices of the Bangsamoro Government.
The Committee on Accounts and Audit shall also have jurisdiction to examine and scrutinize the income, revenues, and the expenditure plans of all government ministries, bureaus and agencies of the Bangsamoro Government, including the audit thereof.
Rule IV of the PARLIAMENTARY RULES, PROCEDURES, AND PRACTICES OF THE BTA states that “Parliamentary committees are permanent committees which exercise continuing responsibility in the legislative activity of the BTA, and are hereinafter set up in these Rules. The BTA shall, upon the recommendation of the Committee on Rules, organize and adopt Parliamentary committees: Provided, That the Memberships of Parliamentary committees shall be on the basis of proportional representation affiliated with the Majority and the Minority of the BTA.”
In the first episode of Podcast Bangsamoro, Member of the Parliament (MP) Amir Mawallil was joined by MP Rasol Mitmug Jr. to highlight Islamic mental health efforts in the region amidst the COVID-19 pandemic.
According to MP Mitmug, addressing mental health concerns is of equal importance. Mental health concerns should be discussed and given attention despite the stigma on mental illness in the country especially now that we are facing a pandemic. His Office as Bangsamoro Transition Authority (BTA) member, together with the Health Organization for Mindanao (HOM), created an online platform which aims to respond to the common mental health needs of communities. Modules and materials have been improved to focus more on Islamic Mental Health (IMH) and are readily available on the IMH website and facebook page. As part of the IMH initiative, HOM will be training those who want to help in this effort especially those who have background in psychology.
When asked about his motivation for giving attention to mental health, he mentioned local experiences during the Yolanda disaster, Marawi conflict and Mamasapano encounter. The communities directly affected by these crises experienced depressive symptoms and other mental health concerns but less attention was given to that matter. Taking care of mental health can be easily overlooked, hence, efforts concerning mental health in the region should be initiated and supported. He further revealed that his Office is currently reviewing and checking codes, potential policies and laws that will give attention to this issue.
While challenges on mental health is a growing health concern in the region, it is a blessing that the Bangsamoro region is still on its transition period, thus, codes are still being drafted. Particularly, measures on mental health can still be incorporated by the BTA members which can safeguard the general welfare of BARMM constituents should another pandemic and even other forms of disaster affecting mental health arise. The implementation of these programs are without hurdles given the population, diversity of languages, number of practitioners, among others, but MP Mitmug is hopeful since efforts are being supported by concerned agencies and organizations.
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